Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has emphasized that nuclear weapons are currently the sole factor preventing the escalation of a major global conflict. This statement arrives amid growing concerns regarding the future of international arms control, particularly after the expiration of the New START treaty between Russia and the United States. The treaty, which concluded in February, had placed a cap on the number of deployed nuclear warheads that each nation could maintain.
Peskov expressed his view that the global security system is deteriorating following the end of this significant arms control agreement. He cautioned that without the deterrence provided by nuclear arsenals, the potential for a broader conflict could rise. Furthermore, Peskov noted the possibility that future advancements in non-nuclear technologies might reach a level of destructive power comparable to that of nuclear weapons.
The collapse of the New START treaty has sparked fears of a potential new arms race among major world powers. Initially signed in 2010, the agreement had limited both Russia and the United States to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each, representing the last major accord restricting their nuclear capacities.
In light of these developments, former U.S. President Donald Trump has advocated for the formulation of a new arms control agreement that would also encompass China, whose nuclear arsenal has been expanding. However, Beijing has dismissed these calls for inclusion in such negotiations. Meanwhile, Moscow has contended that any forthcoming deal should also incorporate U.S. allies, such as the United Kingdom and France, to ensure a more comprehensive approach to arms control.